CEDAR RAPIDS - Iowa City Regina senior Tate Wallace is one of 51 players on the watch list for the 2026 Butkus Award, it has been announced.
The Butkus Award goes to the top high school football linebacker and is named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus. Semifinalists will be announced in late October, and the winner announced Dec. 7.
Wallace is a University of Minnesota commit and a four-year varsity regular for Regina. He leads the Regals this season in tackles with 19 1/2.
Bettendorf’s Gavin Stecker also is on the Butkus Award watch list. He is a University of Iowa commit.
The watch list is compiled by a committee that evaluates candidates that show “particular emphasis on instincts, toughness, on-field leadership, competitiveness, football character and consistent excellence.”
Here are all of the watch list members.
Case Alexander, Washington (Okla.)
Mikahi Allen, Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
Ty Ashley, Owensboro (Owensboro, Ky.)
Gregory Batson, Lee County (Leesburg, Ga.)
Max Brown, Jefferson (Jefferson, Ga.)
Rick Brown, Susquehanna Township (Harrisburg, Pa.)
Ta’sheem Butler, Glassboro (Glassboro, N.J.)
Cole Crawford, Cartersville (Cartersville, Ga.)
Jeremiah Culpepp...